Announcement
Regional Service Areas (RSA) Update and Request for Feedback
Attn: Superintendents, District, BOCES Administrators
Commissioner of Education Dwight D. Jones recently announced steps that have been taken to implement Senate Bill 08-038, which creates 12 regional service areas that will support local and regional initiatives to increase student achievement.
The legislation requires the creation of regional councils that will be comprised of representatives from K-12 school districts, postsecondary institutions, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), early childhood providers and local community and business representatives.
To lead the implementation of S.B. 08-038, Commissioner Jones announced the appointment of Julie Siwanowicz as regional services area senior consultant.
In December, the Regional Services Area map is scheduled to be presented to the Colorado State Board of Education for approval. Prior to the board meeting, CDE is seeking comment regarding the proposed boundaries. The proposed map is posted at the link below.
The Web site also lists educational related organizations that have been identified within each proposed region. This list is being provided as an informational resource only.
Comments about the proposed boundaries should be e-mailed by Friday, Dec. 5 to Julie at the contact information below.
To read the news release, visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/download/PDF/20081121rsamap.pdf
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Julie Siwanowicz
Accreditation/Regional Services
Phone: 303-866-6196
Email: siwanowicz_j@cde.state.co.us
News
What schools can do to help enroll more children in public health insurance
Attn: Student Services Directors, Principals
It is reported that one in eight children in Colorado does not have health insurance. Do you know one of these children? There may be a solution. Colorado Family Medicaid is health insurance for qualifying members of low-income families. Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) provides low-cost health insurance for uninsured children ages 18 and under whose working families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance. There are also prenatal care programs which offer health insurance to uninsured pregnant women in Colorado.
Both public health insurance programs pay for health care services including well-child check ups and physicals, immunizations (shots), doctor visits, sick care, vision care, dental care for children, prenatal care and medications. Families must meet certain income requirements to participate and family size, income and some deductions determine if families qualify for either program.
To inform families about these programs, please consider making brochures and applications available and hanging CHP+ posters in common areas. All marketing materials are FREE. You can also put informational articles in newsletters and on school Web sites. School staff may familiarize themselves with local organizations that provide application assistance and those that are Presumptive Eligibility (PE) sites, able to determine a child’s eligibility immediately.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Christine P. Dauchot
CHP+ Marketing & Outreach Manager
Phone: 303-830-3558
Email: christinedauchot@maximus.com
To Do
Over-Reporting of Expulsions for Firearms
Attn: Principals, Persons Overseeing Disciplinary Actions, Expulsion Data Reporters
An 2007-2008 CDE assessment of expulsions reported by districts concludes that confusion exists between the definitions for "other" firearms versus all "other weapons." Firearms meet a more narrow definition and are a subset of weapon expulsions.
Please reacquaint your district with the Gun-Free Schools Act requirements and definitions in order to ensure your reporting is accurate. The one-page act and a one-page description of definitions can be located at the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Web page under the "Local Program Administration" subheading. Federal guidance is also available in this same section.
Contrary to what is stated in the act and guidance, the Colorado Legislature did not amend the Colorado Revised Statutes when the Gun-Free Schools Act was enacted in 1994. However, the U.S. Department of Education has agreed to allow Colorado to abide by the act through authorized rules of the Colorado State Board of Education. This is why "compliance with the Gun-Free Schools Act" is referenced in the Rules for the Administration of the Accreditation of School Districts."
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Janelle Krueger
Office of Federal Programs Administration
Phone: 303-866-6660
Email: Krueger_J@cde.state.co.us
Update
Accountability Committee Training Opportunity
Attn: Superintendents, BOCES Directors
The Colorado State Accountability Network (CSAN), working in conjunction with CDE, is offering a regional training meeting for accountability committees across the state. These meetings will bring some of the best information available statewide to your region in a short, concise and engaging “mini-workshop” format. These evening meetings will address the needs of both professional educators and parents. The presentations will describe the new Colorado Growth Model and the five elements of the new accreditation process. Breakout sessions will also provide accountability committee members with information regarding their roles with the school district in student achievement.
Regional flyers and registration forms are being disseminated by the regional managers to superintendents. Please contact your regional manager if you have questions or need assistance.
Dates/locations scheduled to date include:
Tuesday, December 9 in Sterling - 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Valley RE-1 School District, Administration Offices Board Room, 301 Hagen Street, Sterling, Colorado 80751
Tuesday, December 16 in Colorado Springs - 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Harrison School District 2 - Board Room
1060 Harrison Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Other dates/locations TBA
For More Information, Contact:
Jhon Penn
Accreditation and Regional Services
Phone: 303-866-6632
Email: penn_j@cde.state.co.us
Colorado Department of Education
201 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, Colorado
80203-1799
Phone: 303-866-6822 or 303-866-2334
Do you know somebody in your school district who needs to read The Scoop each week? Send an e-mail to: CDE_Communications_Office@cde.state.co.us with "Sign Me Up For The Scoop" in the subject line. If you are having trouble signing up, please call the communications office at the telephone numbers above.
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